Islands · Okinawa

Taketomi-jima

竹富島たけとみじまTaketomi-jima

Red tiles, coral walls and white sand lanes

Taketomi-jima is a small, flat coral island ten minutes by ferry from Ishigaki in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa. Its village of red-tiled houses, coral-stone walls and white sand lanes is one of the best-preserved traditional Ryukyuan townscapes.

Area: 5.4 km²National park

National park: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

Overview

Taketomi-jima lies about six kilometres south-west of Ishigaki, across a lagoon of coral reefs. The island is round, flat and small – about nine kilometres around – with a single village at its centre, divided into three districts.

The village has kept its traditional form: single-storey houses with red Ryukyu roof tiles held by white plaster, shīsā lion figures on the roofs, walls of stacked coral limestone (gushiku) and lanes of white coral sand that are swept each morning. It was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1987, and islanders follow a charter that governs building and land use.

The island gives its name to Taketomi town, which also includes Iriomote, Kohama and other islands, although the town office is located on Ishigaki.

Landscape and formation

Taketomi is a raised coral reef, its highest ground only some 20 metres above sea level. The surrounding shallow lagoon is part of Sekisei Lagoon, Japan's largest coral reef, which stretches between Ishigaki and Iriomote. Beaches on the west coast, such as Kaiji, are known for 'star sand', the star-shaped shells of foraminifera.

Highlights

Village of Taketomi
竹富島の集落Taketomi-jima no shūraku
Traditional Ryukyuan village of coral walls and red-tiled houses, explored on foot, by bicycle or by water-buffalo cart.
Kondoi Beach
コンドイ浜Kondoi-hama
White beach on the west coast with shallow turquoise water, where sandbars appear at low tide.
Kaiji Beach
カイジ浜Kaiji-hama
Beach known for star sand; swimming is discouraged because of currents.
Nishi Sanbashi
西桟橋Nishi Sanbashi
Old jetty on the west coast, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and popular sunset point.

Ecology

The reefs around Taketomi belong to Sekisei Lagoon, with a high diversity of corals and reef fish. Hibiscus and bougainvillea line the village lanes, and fukugi trees planted around houses act as windbreaks against typhoons.

Flora

Fukugi
フクギfukugi
Evergreen tree planted as a windbreak around houses throughout the Ryukyus.
Bougainvillea and hibiscus
Flowering shrubs over the coral-stone walls for much of the year.

Fauna

Star sand foraminifera
星砂hoshizuna
Tiny single-celled organisms whose star-shaped shells accumulate on the beaches.

Culture

Island life follows an annual cycle of rituals. The largest is Tanadui, a seed-sowing festival held in autumn over several days, with around seventy performances of dance and drama; it is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Minsā, a cotton weave with a five-and-four square pattern, is a traditional craft of Taketomi and Yaeyama.

Tanadui
種子取祭Tanadui
Seed-sowing festival of prayers and performances in autumn, the island's main festival for over 600 years.
Minsā weaving
ミンサー織minsā-ori
Cotton sashes and textiles woven with a pattern said to express eternal love.

History

14th–15th century
Traditions date the Tanadui festival back more than 600 years.
1972
Okinawa returns to Japanese administration; Iriomote National Park is established.
1986
Islanders adopt the Taketomi charter to protect the village and its way of life.
1987
The village is designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
2007
The park is extended to Ishigaki and renamed Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.

Through the seasons

Spring

Warm and clear before the rainy season, which starts in May.

Summer

Hot beach season; typhoons can disrupt ferries from July to October.

Autumn

Tanadui festival; the sea stays warm into November.

Winter

Mild with frequent cloud and north winds; quiet in the village.

Routes and trails

Island by bicycle
A ride of about 9 km around the island's sandy roads, stopping at the village and western beaches.
Water-buffalo cart
Slow ox-cart ride through the village lanes, often with sanshin songs.

Practical notes

Ferries run frequently from Ishigaki's remote-island terminal and take about 10–15 minutes.
Day visitors are asked to contribute to island conservation; details are on the Taketomi town site.
Respect private homes in the village: the houses are lived in.
Kaiji and parts of the coast have currents; swim only where locals advise.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Taketomi-jima?

By ferry from Ishigaki port in about 10–15 minutes; there are many sailings a day.

Is Taketomi-jima worth a day trip?

Yes, a half-day or full day is enough to cycle around the village and beaches; staying overnight lets visitors see the village after the day trippers leave.

What is star sand?

Tiny star-shaped shells of foraminifera found on beaches such as Kaiji; taking large quantities is discouraged.

Can you swim on Taketomi-jima?

Kondoi Beach is the main swimming beach; elsewhere currents can be strong.